Super Bowl XLVIII Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos
Super Bowl XLVIII
Seattle Seahawks (13-3) vs. Denver Broncos (13-3)
[February 2nd, FOX, Kickoff 6:30pm]
Let us jump right into it! Why wait?! Let's start with the NFC champions, Seattle Seahawks:
They ended the year at 13-3 while winning the NFC West. I am going to start by looking at their 3 losses that they had this year. In those losses they ONLY lost by a combined 15pts. I may throw out one loss, it was the the Arizona Cardinals week 16 when they pretty much had everything locked up and the Cards were just looking for any sort of moral victory at this point in the season (Why though? You are ruining your draft stock!)
But, lets take a look at the other two. Both where away games. One at the Indianapolis Colts and one at conference rival San Fransisco. I look at one key stat in those losses. They averaged only ONE sack in each loss. Even stud defensive ends like Micheal Bennet or Cliff Avril where held without a sack, and these guys where #1 and #2 respectfully leading the Hawks in sacks (16.5 combined.) What's my point? Pressure. When #18 (Peyton Manning in layman's terms) has all the time in the world to scan the field he WILL pick apart your defense. Period.
Well Luke, what about this vaunted secondary I have been hearing NON STOP about? Well, they are very good. But, they have to cover more than just your average #1, #2 and slot WR. Pretty much due to Peyton's arm receivers one through four should be treated pretty much like primary receivers PLUS lets not forget TE Julius Thomas who had 788yds and 12TD this year. And without pressure against a very stout Broncos' offensive line Peyton may have a field day.
So, lets look at the overall stats here. Seattle ended the regular season 7th in rush defense but first overall in passing defense. BUT. If you look WAY closer check out this mind numbing stat:
Average passing yards per game for the teams they beat this year in total came out to be 2,623 divided by 13 wins comes out to be 201.76 passing yards per game... if this was a team they would rank between Seattle (26) and Saint Louis (27)... and honestly I feel like the Saints averaging 307ppg skewed this stat but still... in short. They have NOT be facing top tier passing teams this year. So, all this hype and talk of a Hall of Fame Secondary MAY need to be reevaluated.
How about those Denver Broncos? They also ended the year at 13-3 and won their division like the Hawks. Oh yeah. It also helps to mention that Peyton Manning had a Hall of Fame season setting fire to the NFL record books with his passing stats. He threw for 5,477yds and 55TD (10INT, 10FUM.) Fun meaningless number to look at... If you added up ALL of Russel Wilson's passing and rushing yards PLUS his Pro Bowl caliber RB Marshawn Lynch's yards you STILL come up 293yds short on Peyton's passing total.
Why even mention that stat? Because Lynch and Wilson are pretty much 80% of the Hawk's offense. While Peyton still gets to hand the ball off to two solid RBs in Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball who totaled for 1597yds and 14TD. And they have a quite returning threat on Special Teams with Trindon Holliday who took it to the house one time on both KR/PR.
Where does this leave us...? I think you know where this is going... Vegas has the Broncos as 2 1/2 point favorites with a 47 point over/under. I think they are giving themselves some breathing room but... this may not be as close as many think. And don't you dare throw me the weather argument! Peyton plays at Sports Authority Field in the mountains in Denver, Colorado. Not exactly the climate controlled RCA Dome/Lucas Oil Stadium back in Indy. 4 days out from the Super Bowl weather.com says high- 42 low-28... not exactly the Ice Bowl here (click that link an educate yourself!)
*Drum roll*
Seattle Seahakws- 18
Denver Broncos- 31
MVP- Peyton Manning
Seattle Seahawks (13-3) vs. Denver Broncos (13-3)
[February 2nd, FOX, Kickoff 6:30pm]
Let us jump right into it! Why wait?! Let's start with the NFC champions, Seattle Seahawks:
They ended the year at 13-3 while winning the NFC West. I am going to start by looking at their 3 losses that they had this year. In those losses they ONLY lost by a combined 15pts. I may throw out one loss, it was the the Arizona Cardinals week 16 when they pretty much had everything locked up and the Cards were just looking for any sort of moral victory at this point in the season (Why though? You are ruining your draft stock!)
But, lets take a look at the other two. Both where away games. One at the Indianapolis Colts and one at conference rival San Fransisco. I look at one key stat in those losses. They averaged only ONE sack in each loss. Even stud defensive ends like Micheal Bennet or Cliff Avril where held without a sack, and these guys where #1 and #2 respectfully leading the Hawks in sacks (16.5 combined.) What's my point? Pressure. When #18 (Peyton Manning in layman's terms) has all the time in the world to scan the field he WILL pick apart your defense. Period.
Well Luke, what about this vaunted secondary I have been hearing NON STOP about? Well, they are very good. But, they have to cover more than just your average #1, #2 and slot WR. Pretty much due to Peyton's arm receivers one through four should be treated pretty much like primary receivers PLUS lets not forget TE Julius Thomas who had 788yds and 12TD this year. And without pressure against a very stout Broncos' offensive line Peyton may have a field day.
So, lets look at the overall stats here. Seattle ended the regular season 7th in rush defense but first overall in passing defense. BUT. If you look WAY closer check out this mind numbing stat:
Average passing yards per game for the teams they beat this year in total came out to be 2,623 divided by 13 wins comes out to be 201.76 passing yards per game... if this was a team they would rank between Seattle (26) and Saint Louis (27)... and honestly I feel like the Saints averaging 307ppg skewed this stat but still... in short. They have NOT be facing top tier passing teams this year. So, all this hype and talk of a Hall of Fame Secondary MAY need to be reevaluated.
How about those Denver Broncos? They also ended the year at 13-3 and won their division like the Hawks. Oh yeah. It also helps to mention that Peyton Manning had a Hall of Fame season setting fire to the NFL record books with his passing stats. He threw for 5,477yds and 55TD (10INT, 10FUM.) Fun meaningless number to look at... If you added up ALL of Russel Wilson's passing and rushing yards PLUS his Pro Bowl caliber RB Marshawn Lynch's yards you STILL come up 293yds short on Peyton's passing total.
Why even mention that stat? Because Lynch and Wilson are pretty much 80% of the Hawk's offense. While Peyton still gets to hand the ball off to two solid RBs in Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball who totaled for 1597yds and 14TD. And they have a quite returning threat on Special Teams with Trindon Holliday who took it to the house one time on both KR/PR.
Where does this leave us...? I think you know where this is going... Vegas has the Broncos as 2 1/2 point favorites with a 47 point over/under. I think they are giving themselves some breathing room but... this may not be as close as many think. And don't you dare throw me the weather argument! Peyton plays at Sports Authority Field in the mountains in Denver, Colorado. Not exactly the climate controlled RCA Dome/Lucas Oil Stadium back in Indy. 4 days out from the Super Bowl weather.com says high- 42 low-28... not exactly the Ice Bowl here (click that link an educate yourself!)
*Drum roll*
Seattle Seahakws- 18
Denver Broncos- 31
MVP- Peyton Manning
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